Call Now!

The Link Between Lower Back Pain and Pelvic Floor Problems

Do you suffer from lower back pain? If so, you’re not alone as about 80 percent of all Americans deal with it during some point in their lives. There are many reasons for lower back pain. One of the most commonly overlooked causes is PFD or pelvic floor disorders. Here’s how lower back pain may be caused by problems with the pelvic floor, along with how physical therapy can be an effective treatment.

Definitions of Lower Back Pain and Pelvic Floor Disorders

First, let’s clarify what we mean by lower back pain and pelvic floor disorders.

Lower back pain (LBP) pertains to pain that’s localized in the lumbar spine or pain in the lower back that’s between the legs and the ribs. LBP may or may not involve symptoms to the distal extremities.

The pelvic floor is the term that refers to the group of muscles in the pelvic area. These muscles that make up the pelvic floor serve as type of hammock or sling for the organs in the pelvic area and have the job of protecting vulnerable bodily functions, such as bladder and bowel control, mobility and sexuality. Problems with the pelvic floor can also be an underlying cause for lower back pain.

Pelvic floor disorders are the result of pelvic floor muscles failing to contract properly, which can lead to problems, such as pelvic organ prolapses, urinary and/or fecal incontinence, besides other issues.

According to studies, it’s been found that people with lower back pain also suffer from a substantial amount of pelvic floor conditions compared to those without any lower back pain.

Treatment Options

The first step is getting a comprehensive medical and pelvic floor exam by a trained pelvic floor physical therapist. You can find a trained pelvic floor physical therapist at Dynamic’s Covington and Westbank locations. Then, after a professional diagnosis of PFD has been done, you have several options:

The first line of defense is physical therapy and creating a critical pathway supported by research. If standard orthopedic physical therapy doesn’t fix your issue, the missing link to your problems can often be the pelvic floor.

Pharmacotherapy may be used for addressing incontinence problems. This involves taking drugs that are formulated for increasing urethral closure pressure and targeting the urethra’s smooth and striated muscles. Although corticosteroid shots or pain meds may help in relieving symptoms, they don’t solve the root issues of either LBP or PFD.

Surgery is typically the last resort but may be recommended if you’re a female with LBP and PFD who hasn’t found relief from physical therapy or other types of noninvasive treatments.

Some of the surgical options include the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator, artificial urinary sphincter, pubovaginal sling procedures and mid-urethral sling procedures.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Even though drugs and surgical procedures can resolve some pelvic issues, there are numerous studies showing that, for many people, the answer is a combination of physical therapy and home exercises. Various exercises are used by physical therapists for treating LBP/PFD, but they all share a common goal, which is regaining neuromuscular control of the pelvic floor. Usually, physical therapists start their clients out with diaphragmatic breathing and then progress to exercises, including tonic activation, muscle strengthening, functional expiratory patterns and impact activities.

Physical therapists also use lumbar stabilization exercises designed for stabilizing the lower back. These exercises, which are done in a neutral, pain-free position, teach patients how to strengthen their backs, while increasing flexibility.

Don’t strain when constipated as this increases the odds of prolapse. Furthermore, consume foods that encourage well-formed, soft stools.

Control coughing because forceful coughing can lead to pelvic floor prolapse. Coughing causes a downward force from the abdominal muscles that puts pressure on the pelvic floor. Forceful coughing can be even more of a threat when a pelvic floor is weak and isn’t strong enough to resist the force involved with coughing.